May the Road Rise to Meet You…

A short script by Carolyn Smith

28th October 2018

FIRST DRAFT 4th Pass

INTRODUCTION

Harry Davies is a handsome young advertising executive. Latest power hair-cut. Brown expensive shoes with no socks. White shirt, tight blue jeans and dark blue jacket.

SCENE 1

INT. HARRY’S DESK. DAY

Harry is talking through headphones at his desk. He is looking at two monitors as well as a laptop, with lots of graphs and charts on each.

A muffled voice on the phone

HARRY

That’s right, ‘Bringing Calm to the Chaos’, our new metrics services will have your company ranking number one in your market and category and we’ll provide the latest SEO, SEM and Social Media services with real-time metrics and data on conversion rates. We’ll increase your customer reach and you’ll be able to access all your interactions in real time right from your mobile phone.

Thanks, Mr Schneider, I’ll bring all the paperwork with me. Good-bye.

HARRY PUTS THE PHONE DOWN AND HIGH-FIVES THE YOUNG MAN AT THE NEXT DESK.

HARRY

This is in the bag! The old coot won’t know what hit him. He’ll be up for a Platinum package at the very least!

SCENE 2

INT. AIRPORT. AFTERNOON RAINING

Longshot over to where we see the Departure board goes from DELAYED TO CANCELLED.

Harry walks towards us, leaving the booking desk after snatching a ticket. As he approaches, we see he is angry as he sits down, takes his phone out and makes a call.

HARRY (on the phone)

Damn airline, there’s no more direct flights for another week, they’ve got me on a Sydney flight tonight. (Pause for response)

No, I won’t reschedule, this client is as good as signed. I’ll hire a car make it in plenty of time.

SCENE 3

INT. CAR RENTAL COUNTER. NIGHT

Harry is still looking smooth. He impatiently waits for the girl at the counter to bring him the keys to his rental car. She hands him back his licence with a shake of her head.

HIRE CAR RECEPTIONIST

I’m sorry we can’t let you hire a car, you need to be over 21.

HARRY

You’ve got to be kidding!

The girl takes a step back after the response. She crosses her arms and shakes her head.

SCENE 4

INT. TRAIN. NIGHT

Harry enters a train carriage talking loudly on his phone, disturbing other passengers trying to sleep.

HARRY

Jesus, this sucks, train travel is for losers. It’s going to be at least a 3-hour trip. How putrid is this carriage? I’m not going to get any sleep.

What?

What do you mean why am I calling this late for? You’re supposed to be my girlfriend and I wanted to talk to someone.

Well so-orry!(sarcastically and hangs up)

Harry settles himself down and plays on his phone without ear-phones, oblivious to other passengers sitting near him. We see he has stuck his credit card in the phone case.

SCENE 5

INT. INSIDE TRAIN. LATE NIGHT

Harry is nodding sleepily, arms crossed. His phone has dropped to the seat beside him. He is woken by the train intercom.

TRAIN INTERCOM

Attention all passengers. Due to a signal failure, we will have to continue this service by coach. Please exit the carriages and board the next available bus. State Rail apologizes for any inconvenience.

Harry hastily grabs his hand-luggage and rushes to the exit pushing in front of other departing passengers in an effort to get a seat on the first bus. He does not notice that his phone is still on his seat.

SCENE 6

INT. INSIDE VERY POSH HOTEL. NIGHT

IMMACULATE MALE CONCIERGE EYES HARRY SUSPICIOUSLY

Harry is starting to look the worse for wear. His hair is in his eyes. He has a beard shadow and crumpled clothes.

HARRY

I have a reservation for Harry Davies, and hurry will you, I have an important meeting in the morning. I’d like to order room service now and a continental breakfast for 7.00am.

CONCIERGE

I’m afraid we cannot allow you to book in without a credit card imprint, sir.

HARRY

Oh, come on! My phone and card were stolen on the train, I’ve reported to the police and the bank already, I just have to get to the bank tomorrow.

CONCIERGE

Terribly sorry sir, it’s the policy of the hotel. May I recommend the Do-Drop Inn on the next street. Perhaps their standard of clientele won’t be as discerning as ours, good-night.

HUMILIATED AND MORTIFIED BY THE REJECTION AT THE POSH HOTEL HE DOESN’T FEEL SO ARROGANT NOW.

SCENE 7

EXT. WALKING TO A MOTEL VERY DOWN MARKET

An older lady comes to the door when he pushes the bell.

HARRY

I need a room so I can get some sleep. My flight was cancelled, I was redirected via Sydney, I couldn’t get a hire car so I had to get here by train, then the train stopped and I had to get on a bus and my phone and credit card were stolen. Couldn’t you just help me tonight and I can sort it all out tomorrow?

MOTEL OWNER ALICE

Oh, you poor dear, sounds like you’ve had a rough day, go on, we’ll sort this out in the morning. I’ll bring you down a cup of tea and a toasted sandwich. Go on now. Room 3 down the end.

HARRY IS EXHAUSTED BUT GRATEFUL THAT THE OLD LADY IS WILLING TO HELP HIM WHILE THE SNOBBY HOTEL CONCIERGE WOULD NOT.

SCENE 8

INT. ON BUS. MORNING

Shirt and jacket wrinkled, and tie askew.

SITS ON THE BUS, BUT THEN AN ELDERLY LADY GETS ON HE GIVES HER HIS SEAT AND HELPS A LADY WITH A PRAM GET OFF.

SCENE 9

HARRY ARRIVES AT THE RECEPTION DESK, A NICE SMILE ON HIS FACE AND POLITELY SAYS HELLO TO THE RECEPTIONIST AND INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS HAVING AN APPOINTMENT WITH GEORGE SCHNEIDER.

RECEPTIONIST CHECKS SOME NOTES

I’m sorry Mr Davies, you really should answer your phone, we have been trying to call you. Unfortunately, Mr Schneider has had to leave sooner than expected and has already signed a new contract with Carl Kessler from Saatchi’s.

HARRY Groans in pain and slowly sinks below the level of the desk.

AAAAaaaaaghh!